Hornets Guard Knueppel Exits Debut With Left Leg Injury

Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel suffered another setback in his recovery from a left hamstring injury after leaving his season debut Wednesday with less than six minutes played. The second-year player was ruled out at halftime of Charlotte's 114-104 defeat against the Brooklyn Nets because of left leg soreness, according to the team.

Knueppel had missed the entire preseason and Charlotte's first eight regular-season games after initially injuring his left hamstring during offseason basketball activities. His brief return ended when he appeared to experience discomfort while advancing the ball up the court with 6:12 remaining in the first quarter.

After losing possession and sending the ball out of bounds, Knueppel grimaced and appeared to favor his left leg. The Hornets subsequently listed left leg soreness as the reason for his absence for the remainder of the game.

The injury interrupts the return of a player who made a significant impact during his rookie season. Knueppel led the NBA in 3-pointers and finished second behind Cooper Flagg in the Rookie of the Year voting, establishing himself as an important part of Charlotte's long-term plans.

His return had also followed another positive development for the Hornets' injury situation. Coby White, who had been sidelined by a calf injury sustained during the offseason, made his season debut one game before Knueppel returned to the lineup.